Linotype-machine.



PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906.

4 W. G. MIDDLETON.

LINOTYPE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906. W. G. MIDDLETON.

LINOTYPE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED M-A]1.30,1906.

3 SHEETSSHBET 2.

a :2 I y l l 0 I a I i I W Y PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906.

W. G, MIDDLETON. LINOTYPE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR.30. 1906.

s SHEETS-SHEET 3 o f e' Z Wtmeweo 86% n'nrrnn sra rns PATENT OFFICE.

WINTOX (1. KUDDLETON, OF TUCSON, ARIZONA TERRITORY, ASSIGI DR TO MERUENTHALER LINOTYPE OOMPAN Y, A CORPORATTON OF NEW YOh K.

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Sept. 4, 1906.

'1'!) all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WINTON GORDON Mmonnrox, of Tucson, county of Pima, and Territory of Arizona, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to linot-ype-machines of the character represented in Letters Patent. of the United States No. 436,532. In this machine circulating matrices are stored in a magazine and are released by fingerkeys one at a time in the order in which their characters are to appear in print, the released matrices being composed in line, together with expansible spacers, and the line transferred to the face of a slotted mold in order to form the type characters in relief on the edge of a type-metal slug or linotype cast in the mold, the matrices being there after elevated to a distributing mechanism by which they are returned to their appropriatc channelsin the magazine.

My improvements have reference more particularly to improvements in the mechanism for assembling the matrices in line to admitof its being readily adjusted to compose a line of any given length; also, to means for insuring an adjustment of the line-transferring devices to correspond with the length of the lines delivered from the assembling mechanism; also, to means for speedily and accurately adjusting the jaws which confine the composed line of matrices in order to determine its length when justified; also, to means whereby the mold slot or cell is automatically elongated to the maximum limit after each casting operation, so that the same ejector-blade of maximum width may be employed to eject all slugs regardless of their length; also, to means for effecting the simultaneous and corresponding adjustment of the mold-slot and the clampingaws.

WVith the exception of the parts hereinafter described the machine may be of ordinary construction.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the assembler mechanism. Fig. 2 is a detail section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of a mold and the mechanism for'adjusting the mold and the line-confining jaws. Fig.4 is a plan View of the principal parts shown in the preceding figure, certain of the parts being shown in section. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the parts for adjusting the left-hand jaw to determine the length of the matrix-line. Fig. 6 is a crosssec%i on on the line 66 of the preceding figure. ig. 7 is a perspective view of the left-hand jaw and the parts immediately connected therewith. Fig. 8 is an elevation illustrating the cam and connections for operating the mold-liner and the jaw-support.

Referring toFigs. 1 and 2, A represents the main frame B, the usual inclined traveling belt from which the matrices released from the magazine are received successively and delivered in front of the rotary starwheel I) by which they are driven forward side by side into the assembling-elevator 0, wherein they are assembled in line against the upturned end of the horizontal yielding slide D, commonly known as the assemblerslide. The assemblingelevator C is so mounted that it may be moved vertically at the will of the operator in order to present the composed line between the two depending fingers E and F, carried by horizontallyrnovable slides or. carriages E and F, mounted in the mainframe and connected by a spiral spring e,which tends to drawthe fingers together. These fingers, which are required to be separated a distanceslightly greater than the length of the required line, serve to transfer the elevated line to the left and into the usual assembling-elevator, by which 't is lowered to the casting mechanism and la er elevated to the distributing devices.

As the machine is required to set lines of different len ths, it is necessary to limit the advance of tfie assembler-slide D accordingly in order that the o erator ma know when the line has reached a proper ength. It is also necessary to adjust the position of the finger E to correspond with the extreme pos'i tion to which the slide advances inorder that there maybe sufficient space between the two fingers to admit of the composed line being, raised and confined between them.

Gis my device for limiting the assembler- I assembler slide. This finger stands in the path of the adjustable stop-block (Z, secured l the usual mechanism familiar to all persons to the assemhler-slideby a screw (1, as usual, so that themotion of the assemblerslide D to the left and the length of the line which can be composed 'are limited by the contact of the stop d with the arm g.,

The adjusting device G and its arm 9 are controlled by one or the other of two stoppins H and H, mounted in an arm on the main frame and arranged to enter holes 9 ir the body of the part G. The holes are sepa rated the length of a printers em, while the 'pins are sep rated one and a half times this distance. I n consequence of this arrangement the use of one'pin or the other admits of the slide being adjusted byhalfems.

The adjusting-slide G is provided with an arm 9 arranged to contact with the end of the slide E, carrying the finger E. When, therefore, the setting-sli e G is adjusted toward the left, it not only se'iq the arm 9 to determine themovement of tne assemblere slide D, but also through'the arm 9 positively sets the finger E against the stressof spring ein advance of the assembler-slide D' a distance sufficient to admit; between the two fingers E- and F the composed line. In other words, the adjustment of the member G limits the assembling devices to ,a line of re uired length and separates the fingers E an' d F a suitable distance tq admit said line between them. During, thtlfi fieparation of from the elevated assembler C.

the fingers the finger F is .hcid at rest by the usual dog employed in all linotype-inachine's to hold it until the line is to be transferred When the adjusting slide or stop G is moved to the right to shorten the length of the composed lines,thefin er E is permitted to move accordingly un er the influence of spring 2, and thus the space between the fingers E and F is reduced to correspond with the reduction in the length of the composed matrix-lines. I believe myself to be. the first to employ in connection with the transfer-finger E and the assembler-slide D intermediate parts by which they may be automatically or simultaneously adjusted for different lengths of line in proper relations to each other Chan e'sfin the length of the composed matrixine,.as above referred to, necessitate corresponding adjustments in the jaws which confine the matrices in front of the mold. To this end I'provide a mechanism shown in Figs. 3 to 7.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, Irepresents the mold containing the slot or cell i in which of'limiting the length of the matrix-line,

which is presented between the jaws and justified or expanded to its final length by l skilled in the art.

The jaw J may be fixed or adjusted by the usual devices; but lor the purpose of controlling the adjustment of the aw J to correspond with the adjustment of the mold, which is variable in length, as presently,described, I provide the slide K,

mounted in vertical guides in the main frame and having an inclined edge with shoulders tlereon in position to engage a horizontally movable block L, which serves as anabutment or support for the outer end of the jaw J, limiting its se aration fromthe opposing jaw. The jaw tion, the rising slide seats its shoulders behind the blockL, thus giving it firm support, so that it in turn supports the jaw J against the endwise pressure of the matrix-line. The.

adjustment of the jaw to suit lines of difierent lengths is. best effected, as shown in Fig.

5, by the employment of a horizontal screw M, mounted in the main frame and fixed against end motion, except as hereinafter delocking-pin m, engaging the main frame, the

thread being so proportioned that each rotationof the screw moves the part L the dis-- tance of one em. The screwis provided witha secondary thread m engaging the.

periphery of a wheel m mounted on the eing in the required posiscribed.- This screw passes through the jaw-.' 1

main frame and provided with peripheral graduations representing ems and fractions of ems in positlon to be read 1n connection with a, stationary pointer m on the frame.

To effect the required adjustment of the jaw, it is onlytnecessaryfor the operator toturn the wheel and screw until the number of ems representing. the required length of the slug is presented to the pointer.

The support L is provided with a pivoted.

latch Z, (seelFig 7,) adapted to enter a notch 7' in the jaw J, whereby the two parts are locked together so that the movement of the part L by means of the screw will move the jaw accordingly. It is absolutely neoessa ry,

however, when there are no mafiices present or when the..matriX'-line is shorter than the mold-slot to'advance the jaw J towardtlie opposing jaw J in order -tocover and close the face of the mold throughout the whole or a portion of its length. In order-Lo permit I this independent motion of the jaw without disturbing the adjustment of the devices which hold it in its normal position, I mount,

as shown in Fig. 6, a rock-shaft Z in the main,

frame directly "ov er the end of the latch and provided with an actuating lever or handle Z",

by turning which the latch Z may be disen-.

gaged and the jaw released in any position in which. it may stand. After the casting action it is necessary to permit, the jaw J to re treatslightly in order to release the tightlyjustified line of matrices and admit of its being easily lifted to the distributin rne'chan ism, as usual. T is is permitted y seating the end of the screw M against a block m supported by a horizontalscrew m, actuated in tne'saine manner and by the same devices as the jaw-releasing screw used in the commer'cial linotype-machines.

In order to permit compensation for the slight wear which occurs in the parts, the block L may be provided with a screw Z to bear against the jaw J, as shown in Fig. 4.

It is necessary that the length of the moldslot shall correspond with the operative distance between the jaws, so that the slug cast in the mold may correspondin len th with the matrix-line confined between t 1e jaws. To, permit change in the length of the moldslot, the molda unitary structure having a slot therethrou h from front to back, as usualis provifed with a sliding liner i the end of which forms one end of the moldslot, so that as the liner is moved lengthwise the slot will be varied in length accordingly, and a longer or shorter slug produced.

The mold is mounted, as usual, in a verti cal interi'nittingly-rotating wheel N, whereby the mold is held in a horizontal position during the casting action and thereafter rotated in order to present the contained slugin a vertical position in front of the ejectorblade, by which it is driven out of the mold into the receiving-galley.

In order that one and the same ejectorblade may be used to eject slugs of all lengths from the mold, Iprovide for the automatic retraction of the mold-liner and the consequent elongation of the mold-slot after each casting action, so that the wide ejectorblade may pass through the mold and expel the slug whatever its length. In order to permit this automatic movement of the liner,

1 I attach it to a horizontal slide O,forming, in

effect, a part of the liner, mounted in iides 0 secured to the mold-wheel. Before t e casting action and when the mold is in the casting position the slide 0 is advanced and the liner carried into the mold a predetermined distance, controlled by the position of the matrix-clamping jaw, Mter the casting action the liner is wholly withdrawn from the mold containing the slug. 'The mold is then 'turned to the ejecting position, the slug ejected, and the mold finally brought back to the-casting position to again receive the liner. The forward and backward movement of the liner is effected by the vertical slide K, mounted in the main frame before referr :d to, whic'h containsa slot k which receives a stud 0 on the slide 0.

As shown in Fig. 8, the slide K is connected by a link k with a lever k, urged upward by a spring k and carried positively downward at suitable intervals by a cam k.

The position of the line-confining jaw J determines the position of its support L, which,

will be remembered, stands in the path of the slide K.- After each casting action the slide K is fully de ressed in order to retract the mold-liner. W hen the slide rises to advance the liner, its shoulders encounter those on the mold-support L, which act to arrest the slide, and thereby limit the advance of the liner. Thus it is that theiiner and the jaw are adjusted always to corresponding positions. a

The wheel which carries the mold is movable horizontally for the purpose of'withdrawing the type on theslug from the matrices preparatory to the rotation of the wheel. hen this backward movement occurs, the stud 0 of the mold-liner is withdrawn from the slot and plate K, so that the latter offers noresistance to the rotation ofthe mold. The friction of the liner is sufficient in ordinary cases to hold it in its retracted position until the mold again returns to the castingoint; but any suitable retaining or locking devices may be employed.

- The parts constituting my invention operate as follows: A line of given length being prescribed, the operator first adjusts the assembling mechanism by withdrawing the pin H or H and moving the slide G to the left until the scale on the latter indicates the proper number of ems in relation to the stationary pointer h, when. the slide G is fastened' by restorin the pin. The effect of this action is to advance the stop-arm g so as to arrest the assembler-slide when a matrix-line ofproper length has been composed and also to advance the finger E to such position that the composed line may be raised and confined in close order between it and its companion F. The operator next turns the screw M by means of the hand-wheel until the pointer m stands opposite the propergraduation on wheel m the effect being to move the jaw J and its attendant parts to the proper osition for the castin of a slug correspon ing to the'length of t e matrixline.

This adjustment also sets the member L in i such position that it will arrest the slide K and stop the moldtliner in a position corresponding to the adjustment of the jaw, whatever that may be.-;

The composed line of matrices is commonly desi nated in the ,art as the line, and the wor line is used throughout this specifi cation in this sense. 1

Having described my invention, what I claim is v 1. In a linotype-machine, the combina- .tion of a composing mechanism adjustable to produce lines of different len ths, a linetransferring mechanism adjustahle to receive lines of different len'gths,

of said mechanisms. .g

2. In alinotype-machine, the combination of the line-delivery fingers E and F, the asmeans to insure corresponding adjustments" and intermediate ,1

sembler-slide D, and intermediate connections to limit the advance of the slideand determine the separation of thefingers.

3. In a linotype-machine, the assemblerslide, an adjustable slide to limit the advance of the same, and a line-delivery finger controlled as to its normal position' by the adjustable slide.

4. In combination with the slide D- and slide E provided with'a finger E, the slide G acting to advancethe finger E andto arrest same in definite positions, in combination the slideD. e

5. The slide G, and" means for locking the with the finger E, controlled as to its normal position by the slide G.

, 6. In combination with the assemblerslide D having a stop shoulder d, a slide G'ar-' ranged to encounter the shoulder d, and 20 means for securing the slide G in predetermined positions.

7. In a linotype-machine, a slotted mold including as a permanent part a longitudinally-movable member to change the ength of the slot, a movable matrix-confining jaw independent of the mold, and mechanism for effecting and insuring corresponding adjustment of the mold and jaw.

8.. In a linotype-machine, a sliding moldliner, a movable matriX-line-confining jaw,

- and a liner-actuating mechanism limited in action by the jaw mechanism, whereby proper relative adjustment of the jaw and the mold is insured.

9. In a linotype-machine, a slotted mold adjustable in length to confine the matrixline in the casting position before the mold, in combination with means for automatically 0 ening the mold to its maximum length a ter each casting action and again closing it, and intermediate means to insure corresponding adjustments of the jaw and mold.

10. In a linotype-machine, a traveling operative position of the liner.

12. In combination with the mold having the sliding liner and the movable line-confining jaw, the liner-actuating slide controlled in its advance by the j aw.

13. In a linotype-machine, the. combination of a movable line-confining jaw, and a 'steppedslide to control-the position of the jaw. I 14. In a llnotype-machlne, the combination of the sliding matrix-confining jaw, a rotary graduated'indicatoi, and the jaw-adjusting screw, threaded at one end to effect the movement of the jaw, and threaded at the opposite end to actuate the indicator.

15. In combination with the sliding jaw J, the movable supporting-block L, and a latch mechanism for connecting them.

16. The combination with a slidin jaw,-

the sliding block L, and connectiiigjatch,

and means substantially as shown for disconnecting the latch regardless of the position of the jaw.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 13th day of March, 1906, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

i W. G. MIDDLETON.

Witnesses 2 ARNOLD SPRING, F. S. MORENO. 

